OWOSSO.

DESCRIPTION.

The Owosso Union School, a very fine building, 86x88 feet, is located in a native grove of superior beauty, containing four and a half acres. The architecture is tasteful and imposing. The work was superintended by L. R. Comstock, architect, of Owosso; the plan is a modification of the Coldwater building, and with cost of grounds is estimated at $65,000. The following are the ground plans of the several floors:

The basement is twelve feet high, and is occupied by four furnaces, woodroom, store-room, janitor's rooms, and two large eating and play rooms, for the use of pupils who remain at noon, and for use at recesses during wet weather.

The first floor is occupied with three school-rooms, two 32x35 each, and one 32x32; the Superintendent's office and the janitor's reception room, each 18x28 feet, and two wardrobes. The halls are ten feet wide. There are three entrances, the boys' side entrance, the girls' side entrance, and the front entrance. The rooms on this floor are twelve feet high.

The second floor affords three school-rooms, for the accommodation of the Grammar School and Intermediate grades respectively, the same size as the school-rooms on the first floor; also two rooms 16x17 each, and laboratory. The rooms on this floor are 14 feet high.

The third floor is 22 feet high, and is occupied by the High School room, 54x88, and the first assistant's room, 32132.

The High School room is seated with single desks, and has capacity for one hundred and fifty students. The Grammar room is seated, also, with single desks, for fifty pupils. The other rooms are seated with double desks, for eighty pupils each.

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.

To the President and Board of Education of the city of Owosso:

GENTLEMEN-I herewith submit to you a brief report of the enrollment, attendance, and progress of the schools committed by you to my supervision.

It is quite difficult to determine with exactnesss the results of but one year's labor, we leave it entirely for you to judge whether there has been that progress in the general condition, arrangement, and management of your schools which you may reasonably and rightfully expect.

It is but just to the teachers in all departments to state that there has been ever exhibited by them a spirit of co-operation, and an earnest endeavor to fully execute all suggestions and plans of the School Board and Superintendent.

STATISTICS FOR 1878-74.

Number of children of school age.

Number of children between the ages of 8 and 14 years...

Number of pupils enrolled..

Average number belonging.

Average daily attendance..

Per cent of attendance on number belonging.

Per cent on enrollment.........

Increase of enrollment over previous year.

Increase of daily attendance..

Increase of per cent of attendance on number belonging

Number of suspensions---

Number of visitors recorded..

Non-resident pupils.--.

814

324

824

483

45.4

9

65

94

100

04

3

416

49

The above statement of enrollment does not include promotions by transfer.

EXAMINATIONS.

The written monthly examinations required have been rigidly adhered to in the High School, Grammar, and Intermediate departments, with beneficial results.

PROMOTIONS.

Examinations for promotion in all departments took place at the close of the spring term. The pupils generally acquitted themselves with much credit.. The whole number of promotions was 234.

ATTENDANCE.

The attendance during the past year of the "pupils belonging" has been encouraging.

Pupils who do not attend regularly cannot keep pace with their classes, and hence must necessarily fall behind their grade. Parents and patrons cannot be too vigilant or persistent in reference to the regular attendance of their children at school.

COURSES OF STUDY.

For the High School, liberal and well selected courses of study have been,

arranged. The college preparatory course has been extended so as to meet the advanced requirement for admission to the University.

APPARATUS.

The school is well provided with outline maps, globes, and charts. The apparatus for philosophical and chemical experiments does not afford ready means for all the illustrations necessary for a full explanation of those subjects; a small appropriation is much needed for the benefit of these important sciences.

DRAWING.

This is now an indispensable element in a general education. Everybody needs a well trained eye and a well trained hand. Manufacturers, mechanics, teachers, and professional men, all need a practical knowledge of its use. "Krusi's Drawing" has, during the past year, been successfully introduced into all the departments above the Second Primary. We know of nothing better calculated to stimulate the observing powers, give elasticity to movement, and cultivate the taste, than drawing.

CONCLUSION.

In conclusion, I wish to speak in the most encouraging terms of the scholarship of the pupils in all departments. Your High School has members who are an honor and a pride to it.

I desire, also, to extend sincere thanks to the patrons of the schools for the interest shown, and hope it will increase hereafter. To your honorable body thanks are due for your counsel, support, and assistance. I trust that in all your deliberations you will be guided to wise conclusions, and that the schools under your management will meet the just demands made on them, and become, as they ought, the pride of your city.

Owosso, July, 1874.

T. C. GARNER, Superintendent.